Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing bulk articles, comprises a housing having a receptacle and a dispensing chute, an article reservoir mounted on the housing above the receptacle, and a rotatable dispensing wheel disposed between the receptacle and the dispensing chute and operative to selectively dispense articles from the receptacle to the chute, the dispensing wheel having at least one article cavity for receiving and depositing a predetermined quantity of articles in the chute, the cavity defined by walls diverging away from an upper peripheral edge.

Abstract: The present invention uncouples the dependence between the zero throat height and the flare point of a write head by recessing the first insulation layer within the first pole piece layer. The first pole piece layer and the first insulation layer have planar surfaces which preferably lie in a common plane, the zero throat height being defined at the point where the planar surface of the first pole piece layer first meets the planar surface of the first insulation layer within the head. It is also at this point that the first and second pole piece layers separate from one another. Accordingly, the zero throat height can be accurately placed relative to the stripe height of a magneto-resistive (MR) sensor. Further, when a photoresist layer is spun onto the partially completed head for the construction of the pole tip of the second pole piece light directed into the photoresist layer for photo-imaging the pole tip does not reflect into the photoresist layer adjacent the pole tip.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the available energy and system runtime of battery powered electric devices which use non-rechargeable cells as an energy source. The present invention employs techniques for using energy from both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries in a manner which discharges each of the different cells within their optimal discharge rate. In particular, the non-rechargeable batteries are used for a low rate of system discharge and rechargeable cells supplement the non-rechargeable batteries for a higher system loads. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the system load is at a very low level, the rechargeable battery is recharged using power from the non-rechargeable battery. The result of the techniques of the present invention is the lowering of discharge rate and hence increasing the capacity of the non-rechargeable cell.

Abstract: A computationally efficient system spatially filters a digital input image to sharpen the image. A process is disclosed to spatially filter pixels of an RGB image by applying a high pass filter to the image. First, signals representative of luminance are extracted from the input image. Then, the extracted luminance signals are filtered. Quotient signals are then developed, representing the ratio between each filtered luminance signal and the corresponding original luminance signal. Quotient signals are multiplied by the corresponding pixels of each plane of the original image to provide an output image. The invention may also be embodied by an image editor to implement the spatial filtering process of the invention, where the image editor includes stored programming instructions executed by a processor, discrete circuit components, an ASIC, or another suitable hardware device.

Abstract: A mechanically operated cleaning apparatus is provided for a magnetic tape drive of the type which has a tape cartridge transport device. Reciprocal movements of the cartridge transport device actuates movements of the cleaning apparatus which causes a cleaning device, such as a brush, to wipe multiple times across the ABS of a magnetic head to remove debris therefrom. A frame is provided for mounting the magnetic head and the cartridge transport device. A guide apparatus is mounted on the frame and supports the cleaning device for guiding the cleaning device between the first and second lateral locations so that the cleaning device wipes across the ABS as it moves between said locations. An actuator device is mounted on the frame and is connected to the guide apparatus. The actuator device is actuated by reciprocal movements of the cartridge transport device for moving the cleaning device across the ABS to remove debris therefrom.

Abstract: Systems are provided for saving register data in a pipelined data processing system, and for restoring the data to the appropriate register in the event of an exception condition. One embodiment concerns a latch feedback assembly, such as a SRL, which includes multiple series-connected latches having a feedback connection between last and first latches. The latches are clocked to temporarily reserve a delayed backup copy of data from the first latch on the last latch. Upon detection of an exception, the backup copy is first preserved by disabling writes to the last latch; then the backup copy is copied to the first latch to restore the first latch to its state prior to occurrence of the exception. Another embodiment involves a register file save/restore mechanism, in which an additional bank of registers, called a "backup register", is coupled to a register file. When data is stored in an address of the register file, the address and its data content are also stored in the backup register.

Abstract: The method provides for treating an embedded static SQL program that resides with the CLI application (rather than at the database manager) in an analogous manner to stored procedures. When the CLI application sends a SQL CALL statement syntactically identical to a stored procedure call, the CLI implementation can intercept the call and, instead of invoking the stored procedure, invoke the embedded static program.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated sectionalization of a DS1/DS3 data path based upon information received at a single location along the path. A test and monitor device is located at a point of demarcation between an LEC and an IEC. A Remote Module is located at a point of demarcation between the LEC and CPE. The test and monitor device is fully ANSI compatible. The information that is received is processed in a three step process in order to generate a "Sectionalizer Report". In preparing the Sectionalizer Report, the information output from a filter is used to determine where particular Events originated. A Remote Alarm Indication-Customer Installation signal is generated to enhance the ability to sectionalize the data path.

Abstract: A configuration management subsystem of a subsystem array system assigns heat producing devices to clusters such that the number of devices activated will not create overheating, regardless of which limited set of clusters is activated. The subsystem receives the dimensions of the disk array, the number of devices, the number of cluster groups and the maximum number of clusters that can be operated substantially simultaneously, and the dimensions of a critical box that defines an arrangement of the devices into cells such that, if a device is assigned to each cell of the critical box and all devices are operated simultaneously, then thermal operating restrictions of the devices will be exceeded. The system first executes simple numbering loop operations to determine, if they exist, dimensions of a building block subarray that meet certain requirements relative to the input parameters.

Abstract: A finite field multiplier in GF2.sup.mn is formed from a pair of m celled shift registers and an m celled accumulating cell. Logical connections are established to generate grouped terms in respective cells of the accumulating cell upon retention of the vector of the subfield elements in each shift register. Each cell contains a subfield element in the form of an n-tuple and the logical connections perform arithmetic operations in accordance with the inherent subfield arithmetic to provide an n-tuple in each cell of the accumulating register. A product of two vectors can be obtained in m clock cycles. By mapping between registers, squaring of a vector can be obtained in one clock cycle.

Abstract: A color compensation system maps and translates between colors and colorants with improved speed and accuracy. The invention also contemplates colorant-to-color and colorant-to-colorant translations. In one embodiment, an improved color-to-colorant map is first created by creating a multi-dimensional lattice, then dividing this lattice into sub-lattices of selected sizes. A "nominal" sub-lattice is then constructed for a given colorant. Next, that colorant is expressed as a function of color-dependent component parts, and this relationship is used to construct initial lookup tables to convert the input colors to average colorants. Then, final lookup tables are generated, one for each sub-lattice, to convert average colorants to actual colorants. The above steps are repeated for each colorant. This process effectively creates a high-speed color-to-colorant map. After the improved map is created, it is implemented in a processor, which uses the map during translation.

Abstract: A technique used during interprocedural compilation in which program objects are grouped together based on the weights of the connections between the objects and their costs. System-imposed constraints on memory size can be taken into account to avoid creating groupings that overload the system's capacity. The groupings can be distributed over memories located on different processors.

Abstract: The magnetic states of MR reproducing heads are reinitialized during media drive manufacturing by applying initializing magnetic fields to the transducers after they have been manufactured and incorporated into media drive assemblies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading and writing data to a medium which moves at an uncontrolled velocity relative to a read/write apparatus with which the data is read and written. The read/write apparatus comprises one write head and two read heads. The first read head is spaced apart from the second read head by an odd integer multiple of one half of a bit cell. The two read heads read preexisting data from the medium and generate a write clock which is used to synchronize a write operation using the write head. Delay logic ensures that the write head is over that portion of the medium on which new data is to be written. By measuring the amount of time between detection of a transition at the first read head and detection of that transition at the second read head, the velocity of the medium with respect to the read/write apparatus is determined and the amount of time that must elapse between the reading of old data and the writing of new data which overwrites the old data is determined.

Abstract: An insertion mass flow sensor having coaxial, spaced reference and active sensors mounted within an opening adjacent the distal end of the elongated flow element. The distal end of the flow element is adapted to be positioned at the center of the conduit through which fluid is flowing. In the preferred embodiment, a turbulence inducing element is mounted across the opening to condition the fluid that encounters the active sensor.

Abstract: A compression interlocking system for stabilizing long bone fractures, comprises an elongated intramedullary rod having a proximial end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis, the rod adapted for extending within a bore generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of a long bone from a proximal end of the bone to beyond a fracture of the bone, a threaded member for fixing the proximal end of the rod to a first portion of a bone having a fracture, a second member for fixing the distal end to a second portion of the bone having the fracture, and a cam for moving the second portion of the bone toward the first portion of the bone for closing and applying compression to the fracture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for forming a connection to an object (26) with a shape memory alloy sleeve (4). In the preferred embodiment, the sleeve (4) has a first end (10) with formations on its internal surface for forming a seal with the external surface of an object (26) located within it, and a second end which has a predetermined configuration when recovered in which it can form a connection to another object (30) for engaging the other object (30) to form a connection to that object (30).

Abstract: A carrying case for jewelry and the like, comprises a primary panel of pliable material having a generally rectangular configuration and an inner face and an outer face, the panel having a top end and a bottom end, hanging means at the top end, the panel foldable along a transverse line for forming a primary receptacle having a front panel and a back panel, a pocket assembly for detachably securing to the back panel inner face, the pocket assembly comprising a back pocket panel and a front pocket panel secured together along a bottom and side edges forming a pocket, and a mounting panel removeably mounted in the pocket and having a mounting face, a plurality of attachment loops on the mounting face for mounting articles of jewelry, an elongate generally cylindrical support member detachably mounted on the panel, and a cover panel secured along an edge to one of an upper and a lower edge of the mounting panel to thereby overlap and cover the mounting face.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring the wheel positions of double-track motor vehicles according to which the relevant wheel angles, such as the track, the king pin inclination, the inclination of the steering knuckle pivot, the axle pin rake, the eccentricity or the like, are detected by means of measuring heads mounted on the wheel rims of the vehicle wheels. The measurement data is evaluated and displayed by a processing means. The measuring heads are pivotable around an extension of the axis of rotation of the respectively related vehicle wheel. To be able to carry out measurements even with the vehicle wheels rotating, the measuring heads are held in their predetermined measuring position by means of a position control.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing is provided for making an improved merged MR head. The method employs a photoresist mask with appropriately-sized openings for simultaneously etching numerous vias to various depths over a set time period. After formation of the vias, a single photoresist mask is employed to pattern in one step gap layers G3, G2, G1 and a first shield layer S1 to the desired lateral configuration for the merged MR head. Subsequent to patterning these thin film layers, double insulation layers I2 and I3 are individually soft baked on top of the coil structure of the head followed by patterning of the layers I2/I3 by a single photoresist mask. These layers are then hard baked to retain the desired smooth configuration of the layers. The improved merged MR head has a smooth configuration to its top pole piece P2 because of the smooth configuration of the I2/I3 layer so that flux leakage and saturation problems are minimized.